tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28355111518248493572024-03-19T03:06:19.600-05:00That FamilyReal life. Real people. Real scary.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.comBlogger311125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-24517144276755563802015-01-12T21:58:00.000-06:002015-01-12T21:58:41.927-06:00Our Own Fun House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before we purchased our current house, we knew there would be some changes we wanted to make pretty quickly. Quickly has turned into over five months, but better late than never. </div>
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The house was in great shape and was move-in ready. However, as is the case with most home purchases, our style is not their style. Take the hall bathroom. This is the one the guests use, and Rose and William share. It's nice and light, but something odd happens when you walk into this bathroom.</div>
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Here is a picture of the bathroom from the hall. This was taken almost a year ago when we were first looking at the house. So what you will see, was NOT our bathroom at the time. </div>
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Exhibit A: A seemingly innocent, albeit dated, bathroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCGD2ObnsfCxvRTwZTgg0b0gNIqcZTGSXwQEYdbCfdpdrBMaEO5q3AxNjcprQnMyuHjrzT8xO8QYCZMWdvbHcDc68ON9uDdxVRzRaQRgdPUurkk9gQXEcIk_wkC1gQfV4yPqf_z7ArFY/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCGD2ObnsfCxvRTwZTgg0b0gNIqcZTGSXwQEYdbCfdpdrBMaEO5q3AxNjcprQnMyuHjrzT8xO8QYCZMWdvbHcDc68ON9uDdxVRzRaQRgdPUurkk9gQXEcIk_wkC1gQfV4yPqf_z7ArFY/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Exhibit B: You walk in and WHOA! My eyes are going buggy and I'm suddenly dizzy.</div>
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I kid you not. This is the reaction from EVERYONE that has ever walked into this bathroom.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xpHb1FkTLHL7KrA_8oltAi7Nh6fKZE7C_UA5CNk73sfIeYOVZ5z39ULuTKuL5Vr4T0CuswoYHVKjxfl8IYbklTF6wl-Pb4iEfqHWLsIctuk0olokSH3JI-zbcFDUL3__Y-ow6ZZ8WKE/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xpHb1FkTLHL7KrA_8oltAi7Nh6fKZE7C_UA5CNk73sfIeYOVZ5z39ULuTKuL5Vr4T0CuswoYHVKjxfl8IYbklTF6wl-Pb4iEfqHWLsIctuk0olokSH3JI-zbcFDUL3__Y-ow6ZZ8WKE/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Exhibit C: From here, it looks ok again. It's just those stripes on the left when you walk in that make your eyes go wonky.</div>
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So we call this bathroom, the fun house room. The stripes are a royal blue and from straight on in a small sample (as I'm sure the previous home owner saw), it looks nice - mid-90's nice when burgundy, forest green and navy blue reigned supreme in home decor. However, once they got this puppy on the wall, something went awry, which is too bad for us, the current homeowners.</div>
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SO, I go to work. Having stripped wallpaper before, I know the horrors in store. I thought I'd try painting over it this time. WELL, two coats of oil-based primer later, my walls look like this:</div>
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You can see on the left where I have put on a second coat as opposed to the right, with one coat.</div>
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I can't get rid of those **** stripes! </div>
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I don't know if I should call it quits and try to strip it off or paint it and hope the stripes disappear. At this point, I still don't have a color picked out. Either white or a pale gray.</div>
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I have made this bathroom unusable, so I'd better decide quick!</div>
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<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-10013919291472450962015-01-05T21:56:00.000-06:002015-01-05T21:56:08.737-06:00Rainy Days and Mondays......you know the rest. At least there were a few brief moments of sunshine this morning before the ever-present, white haze covered it all with a blanket of depression.<br />
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When the kids are in school, I am in school.<br />
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My bags of crap, ready for preschool</div>
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It wasn't all bad. The kids came home relatively happy. despite tears last night. If we made it through today, we can make it through anything. However tomorrow brings another round of horrors...more on at later.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-29733701937637304782015-01-01T19:45:00.000-06:002015-01-01T19:45:11.697-06:00New Year With Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a lovely couple of days free of expectations, errands, school, work, etc. We filled our days with yummy dinners, learning new songs, ice cream, puzzles, our annual movie, plenty of Netflix movies, and lots and lots of little home repair projects. </div>
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For the first time since we moved into our home five months ago, I have been able to take care of some much needed chores. A week after we moved in, I started a second job, so I was working 6 days a week, and never home. Though I'm only down to one job, I'm still not home very much. This past week. to just be home, has been awesome.</div>
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New Year's Eve ice cream and the puzzle I am addicted to</div>
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Making homemade chicken soup in one of my favorite corners in our home. </div>
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I spend a lot of time here. </div>
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I learned a new song yesterday: "Fare Thee Well", sung by Oscar Isaac and Marcus Mumford. Fantastic song.<br />
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I spend a good portion of the morning putting away our Christmas tree and decorations. It took a bit of work, but I got our front room put back together. The Christmas stuff is great, but I LOVE how clutter-free the house feels when it's all put away.<br />
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Watching an old classic on Netflix, the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie.<br />
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And one last tidbit from Rose, because she is still the same crazy girl. She has insisted for days now, that we call her Wormy, not Rose. I wonder about that girl.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-64475263222584344412014-12-31T08:53:00.000-06:002014-12-31T08:53:27.274-06:00I'm Back! See Ya 2014Why am I back? I guess I kind of missed blogging and how it actually made me accountable in a way. And honestly, our life has changed A LOT in the past couple of years and I want to document that. Hopefully friends and family will find their way back. If not, oh well.<br />
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This being my first blog in well over a year (almost two), I wanted to post some highlights and call it good. So here it is:</div>
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Susan's 2014 Highlights (not in any particular order)</div>
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<li>We bought another house. We actually like this one.</li>
<li>As is the tradition with our last three moves, we moved in the pouring rain. </li>
<li>I quit a job I liked (at the library)</li>
<li>I started a job I don't like (preschool teacher)</li>
<li>The two jobs overlapped for three insane months</li>
<li>Rose started Kindergarten, which has changed my life</li>
<li>I had surgery, which went well except for a bad recovery - all of which I fear has come "undone"</li>
<li>I caught the bird flu and missed Easter entirely</li>
<li>I got to sit just feet from the stage of a life-changing rock concert - The Black Keys</li>
<li>We bought a pet - a blue parakeet named "Cheerio". He is adored and revered in our house.</li>
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So as you can see, some changes. I have big plans for 2015. Rock on!</div>
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SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-23381535231325889192013-02-12T11:28:00.000-06:002013-02-12T11:28:28.471-06:00Working and What-notWhile there are blizzards in the east and tornadoes in the south, there hasn't been much of anything here in our neck of the U.S. Which scares me about what our summer is going to be like?!<br />
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A little over two months ago, I got a job. It's a part-time position at the library. I work at a nearby branch of the county system. When I went looking for a job, I needed something that wasn't retail (hello holidays), food-related (no thank you), and only part-time with hours that would work around our family schedule. So the library is perfect for all of those things. I'm discovering it is highly desirable part-time work, so I was very fortunate to get a position.<br />
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So why now? Well, seven years of graduate school took its toll on our finances. So now it's pay-back time! In order to not live in a rented townhouse forever, we want to do all that we can to quickly shed student debt and save for a family home (one we like, hopefully). If I think about how old we are to be dealing with this, it makes me cry - seriously. But that's the price you pay, and you pay it up front.<br />
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Between Ryan's job, my job, school, housework, errands, activities, church, church callings, church activities, etc., it takes a bit of planning to accomplish anything. So that's how I spend my days - planning. I'm planning menus, paying bills, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. I enjoy having the time to do these things, as I know many moms working full-time don't have this luxury. More on that later. Lots of plans in store! SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-19146379488969350822013-02-04T15:12:00.000-06:002013-02-04T15:12:42.920-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just about a week ago, my sweet mother-in-law flew home after a week-long visit. It was a mixed bag of a visit - between work, sickness, household chores, necessary clothes shopping, and a few outings, we stayed busy. I'm sure she was glad to get back to a quiet household after our craziness here. <br />
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However, the day she left, Rose came down with a cold. Can I just say, Rose and cold medicine do not agree? This past week, she has been hell-bent on destroying the house and harassing everyone in the process. It has been a week for the records. It was like the cold medicine turned her into the crazy (this is a nice word for what I really want to call her) toddler she used to be, except without the physical limitations of a one-year-old body. In short, there was running across the kitchen counter with an open gallon of milk, climbing to the top closet shelf to pull every board game off creating one giant pile of plastic game pieces, cards, and dice. There was dumping every bucket of toys out in the basement and then spreading it everywhere into a fine mixture of chaos (all in minutes). T.P-ing the basement with snot-covered toilet paper, refusing to wear any clothes (and I mean ANY clothes), eating half a bag of marshmallows after pulling them off the top shelf of the pantry, along with several other items. Painting her own fingernails, all of them with multiple colors. Getting into everyone's stuff - stuff she usually left alone. ETC. You see what I mean. And then there was the screaming, hollering, and crying (mostly by Rose, but some by me). <br />
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Anyhoo - she's on the mend, without the help of anymore devil-juice (cold medicine). <br />
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Today has been filled with the typical Monday stuff - cleaning, laundry, more cleaning, planning menus, cooking, baking, etc. Oh, and some fort-making by Rose. I'm loving the sunshine: living room in the morning, kitchen in the afternoon. SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-455606136017779822013-01-22T22:40:00.000-06:002013-01-22T22:40:34.292-06:00The Storage Room Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is very embarrassing, but I promised my sister that I was going to do this: pictures of my storage room as of this morning. This room stores all of our tools, bikes, holiday stuff, extra clothes, camping stuff, food storage, craft/sewing stuff, outdoor toys, deep freezer, moving boxes, folding chairs and tables - basically all that used to be stored in our garage and attic of our old house (and anything I can't find a good place for in the rest of the house). </div>
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To be fair, I haven't spent any time cleaning or organizing this room in a couple of months. Our Christmas stuff is still piled up to be put away properly. </div>
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Now why am I baring my unorganized soul here? Well, this room makes me stressed out and even thinking about it makes me want to cry, and not in a good way. I'm overwhelmed by it. But I think that by getting it cleaned and orderly, I may be inspired to renew some projects. So this blog will make me accountable for its progress. It's already better since I took these pictures. But here they are:</div>
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My work corner - the first thing you see when you come in the room </div>
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Turning slightly to the right, my craft/office/sewing shelf, </div>
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a corner of moving boxes and the camping shelf.</div>
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A little further to the right, the toy storage shelves, bins of I don't know what, and the last shelf has photos book, electronic/computer stuff, and files.</div>
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Turning all the way to the right, the back wall is lined with holiday boxes and extra clothes. </div>
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Then the bikes, wagon, camping cots, etc.</div>
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And back to where we started - the door and deep freezer, covered in stuff. </div>
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You can see the basement through the door.</div>
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So there you go. I have a lot of work to do. Seeing as how my mother-in-law is coming tomorrow, I may not be able to spend much more time in there for a little while, but I'll post my progress. And, I don't plan on spending much if any money on this. I'm not trying to turn this into a storage room from "Real Simple" magazine or anything - I don't plan on spending hundreds of dollars on color-coordinated boxes and fancy shelves. This will be quite the challenge.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-25330861328553293142013-01-20T23:34:00.000-06:002013-01-20T23:34:13.688-06:00Better than nothing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past week, I drove to Illinois to spend some time with my friends. It reminded me how much I miss them and how much I miss our weekly chats. I have found that reading/writing a blog post does one of a couple of things for me: </div>
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-keeps me updated with friends/family that I don't see often</div>
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-inspires me to improve my life/home/self</div>
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-makes me feel guilty for one reason or another</div>
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-helps others reconnect with my family</div>
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I have not blogged lately because:</div>
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-I have been doing a crappy job keeping up with friends/family lately</div>
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-I feel that if I don't have something great to share, I don't share anything at all</div>
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-I'm lazy</div>
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-I'm too busy</div>
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Is it possible to be busy and lazy at the same time? I think so, because I am.</div>
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A few pics from our trip to TX for New Year</div>
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Remember that funk I said I was in, months ago? Well I'm still in it, but I am determined to get out. I don't have a plan yet, but I'm going to start somewhere. I'll let you know how it goes! Something is better than nothing.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-70760387574179670402012-12-19T20:13:00.000-06:002012-12-19T20:13:35.807-06:00A little of everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As this year winds up, we're just hunkering down and letting it wind. I think in the past two weeks, I may have spent a total of two evenings at home (tonight being the 2nd). Our lives have gone a little haywire lately and once I can get this ward Christmas party done with, I may finally be able to breath without a dark cloud hanging over my head. I hope someone will enjoy this party because I certainly won't be! </div>
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William has been home all week with a fever and will be home at least one more day. Thankfully, Ryan will take the next two days off so I can finally finish our Christmas shopping kid/sick kid-free. Rose is too observant to take shopping nowadays. And about Christmas shopping, I'm breaking all of my Christmas gift giving rules this year. I am not putting a single bow on any of the presents (they'll be lucky to get those stick-on gift tags), none of them are handmade, and there are several cheap plastic things purchased at Wal-Mart. Nothing blog-worthy, for sure.</div>
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In the meantime, I'm listening to Christmas music with a vengeance, hoping it will drag us into the Christmas spirit. We still have a few more days, so things could turn around. </div>
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I think the two best Christmas presents of all will be having the Christmas party over, and if my neighbors would go a day without cooking a big pot of what smells like curried-onions. The BEST present, I tell you.</div>
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Gotta love those 3M removable hooks</div>
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Fell asleep listing to Christmas music on the radio - I love the tassel between the toes. </div>
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<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-23517759302809050512012-11-28T22:42:00.003-06:002012-11-28T22:46:55.798-06:00Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a lovely Thanksgiving day. Hard to believe it was already a week ago; how the days fly by. My parents were up for a visit. It was fun to have more people to celebrate with. While waiting for TJ (what William named our turkey) to cook, people played games, made butter, battled with lightsabers, etc. Overall, a lovely day. I think the only thing that could have made it perfect would have been a nap. Maybe next year.</span>SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-39185609834601262162012-11-14T22:45:00.000-06:002012-11-14T22:45:52.878-06:00She's Four and She's Alive!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rose celebrated her fourth birthday a few weeks back. Frankly, I'm amazed she made it. This girl has been trying to kill herself since she could walk (I'm not talking suicide here people - just crazy baby antics). She must have her own personal team of angels working around the clock. But here she is, in all her 4-year-old glory: </div>
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And if you know Rose, you understand this face.</div>
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Rose wanted a Doodle Bear for her birthday, which I found out AFTER I had already bought something else. So I ended up returning her original gift, and we went out and bought this one on her birthday. In this picture, Rose is pretending to be a Doodle Bear. BYW, her bear's name came with the name "Rose". Perfect.</div>
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Blowing out the candles after our root bear and pizza party. We're cupcake people around here; and if you have seen any of my cakes, you know why.</div>
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Rose's birthday fell on Monday this year, so we had to do a family outing another day. So the following Saturday, we went to the Butterfly House, which is right around the corner from our house. We've been there a couple of times this past year, so while the kids liked it - it wasn't anything super new to them.<br />
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As much as I hate roaches, this exhibit really fascinates me. It's just so gross; the pumpkins with roaches coming out the eyes and mouth was a nice touch.</div>
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Don't they look excited to be there?! </div>
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"I'm wonderful. I'm perfect!" - Rose</div>
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<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-58451976740577941952012-10-31T21:52:00.000-05:002012-10-31T21:52:36.371-05:00Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Happy Halloween!!</b></div>
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Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight </div>
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(minus the black boots - they're hard to walk in long-distance)</div>
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Red Riding Hood</div>
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Ballerina (costume variation 3)</div>
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Trick or Treat!!</div>
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<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-48148486690253270182012-10-15T21:10:00.000-05:002012-10-15T21:10:08.075-05:00Pickle Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend was our church's General Conference. On Sunday, we decided to go for a drive and listen to conference on our satellite radio in our car on BYU radio. It worked out really well - it forced us to pay attention. So we drove to a state park about an hour and a half away. When we got there, we finished listening while we had a picnic lunch in the back of the car. </div>
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Then for the two hour break, we went on a hike. Our family loves to go on hikes and we do them quite often. We try to find ones Rose can do too. This one was about a mile each way alongside a creek. It was awesomely beautiful, but involved quite a bit of climbing over rocks. I'm sure if we went back now, the leaves would be even more incredible. Rose did great there, but Ryan and I carried her back. </div>
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We passed quite a few people on our way. We got either smiles or strange looks as they went by. I'm sure they thought we looked like novice hikers, seeing as how my girls were both wearing dresses (their choice entirely). I'm sure people were thinking, "Oh how sweet, they have no idea what they're doing". </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d6qPmxt8m_r7cviqFmXZ87sCxofFwBBXrPZxi_Aw9LtubV_MGmSMcVoeFFZLMJapijAeEjZB0yprUGLtkBQBTIIbyIxS6Pg-AGC-fblNVhc2LsMWsWg415difW3YEaXUIwpu0LLUsrg/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d6qPmxt8m_r7cviqFmXZ87sCxofFwBBXrPZxi_Aw9LtubV_MGmSMcVoeFFZLMJapijAeEjZB0yprUGLtkBQBTIIbyIxS6Pg-AGC-fblNVhc2LsMWsWg415difW3YEaXUIwpu0LLUsrg/s640/IMG_0263.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But we're tougher than we look, dresses or not...we even had an encounter with a snake on the path! Pickle Creek is no match for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY2wJUuk4x0556dHyyTONJ2M9K0T5jCYF4jUNBYZ2aPMz3PXBhFhKCYoPSgZdBycFGuZKylaWJWsNo2B2f7Y2wrmilYXUdlNwAoVzyWAeqblbREeHGjbzx8zjfz63FUpPT6IQQEy-qjk/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY2wJUuk4x0556dHyyTONJ2M9K0T5jCYF4jUNBYZ2aPMz3PXBhFhKCYoPSgZdBycFGuZKylaWJWsNo2B2f7Y2wrmilYXUdlNwAoVzyWAeqblbREeHGjbzx8zjfz63FUpPT6IQQEy-qjk/s640/IMG_0278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some nice people hiking with their two dogs took this one for use. William's got his game face on and I look pregnant, which I'm not. I had about 3 layers on and 20 pounds worth of everyone's crap in my coat pockets. I'm the designated pack mule for these events.</div>
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Then on the way home, we listened to the last conference session. Perfect. We'll be doing this again in April, and maybe in pants. </div>
<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-16110117925165194862012-09-25T21:58:00.001-05:002012-09-25T21:58:20.252-05:00Cozy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just trying to make out home a little cozier as the fall weather sets in. It's about time to buy some hot chocolate, make some pumpkin bread and make a fire (better find some firewood first...). </div>
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I may, <i>may</i>, pull out my sewing machine tomorrow for the first time in almost a year. I don't know what's wrong with me - I <i>finally</i> have the space to make a sewing corner and I haven't. I've been dreaming of this for years, but now that I have the room, I haven't done a single thing with it. I'm in a funk, for sure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa3KO71TDwX3G8mVW6wEESDdLiYgUDThnHDjDbhVaFdj3lMDevBgh0-IVYm7saswuOniLa2Sx3pp1H2Idb_OJhfwFcLnnMLpMDzsiHheimcGmunCzAVQpUdiCdXIC9837oU99ylY03hg/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa3KO71TDwX3G8mVW6wEESDdLiYgUDThnHDjDbhVaFdj3lMDevBgh0-IVYm7saswuOniLa2Sx3pp1H2Idb_OJhfwFcLnnMLpMDzsiHheimcGmunCzAVQpUdiCdXIC9837oU99ylY03hg/s640/IMG_0210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My little friend - I have way too many silly pictures of her, but she begs me to take them, what is a girl supposed to do?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jBmwxl2UFqNPqOm85glIceaJ2Vw5hb6kazalStZHIfyJo512co2D0vxvc6xv_7brt-irxImxaZZ9Y00pzZ4DloAVhg1ifQo1p33JmXoDfKXPwG0-91XfLOTU8k3aXnHx_8dYkC_nGl0/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jBmwxl2UFqNPqOm85glIceaJ2Vw5hb6kazalStZHIfyJo512co2D0vxvc6xv_7brt-irxImxaZZ9Y00pzZ4DloAVhg1ifQo1p33JmXoDfKXPwG0-91XfLOTU8k3aXnHx_8dYkC_nGl0/s640/IMG_0208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-84545550967399910332012-09-24T22:23:00.000-05:002012-09-24T22:23:17.483-05:00Night Time Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The other night, after the older kids went to bed, Rose requested that we have a tea party. So Ryan, Rose and I had a candlelight tea (Rose - Make the fire Mom!). We enjoyed Apple Cinnamon Herbal Tea with crackers and cookies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFzJb0nH2nDn7SuZJvdX6HAB9fYsQph16xENifkHvzpmWjwVZRDdHQw6UXcgEhgYkKRN_X0v4CB9OnzlqMeNxdKblRPzI-ygtm5vI47VsNRYsW8LBYNfcbESQcnY2IRG08Sp79Fi5jwY/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFzJb0nH2nDn7SuZJvdX6HAB9fYsQph16xENifkHvzpmWjwVZRDdHQw6UXcgEhgYkKRN_X0v4CB9OnzlqMeNxdKblRPzI-ygtm5vI47VsNRYsW8LBYNfcbESQcnY2IRG08Sp79Fi5jwY/s640/IMG_0204.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIqJ64K27f2UjpONHUMXDMRlnCNWKgo_6xA6bklawRrUpoRdIfel7kFfvokwOsJTmDIOKyS5MXB-5_FEkafRleJ-bTSM_08WYd7Ssea7U1vXC5krPqvzKXLp3MYVa15F1tNZ82SaRxs0/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIqJ64K27f2UjpONHUMXDMRlnCNWKgo_6xA6bklawRrUpoRdIfel7kFfvokwOsJTmDIOKyS5MXB-5_FEkafRleJ-bTSM_08WYd7Ssea7U1vXC5krPqvzKXLp3MYVa15F1tNZ82SaRxs0/s640/IMG_0200.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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So pretty!</div>
SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-35507035174331728602012-09-18T11:48:00.000-05:002012-09-18T11:49:09.067-05:00Reworking Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something else I have been reworking is our diet.</div>
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During the summer, we got lazy. I was stressed about the house, stressed about the yard and in the summer, my tiny kitchen <i>becomes</i> an oven when I use the oven. So our diet (what we were eating) took a hit.</div>
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So a few months ago, I started changing things. I started slow so as to not shock anyone or cause a rebellion. Here are some examples:</div>
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I replaced ____ - with _____</div>
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<li>white pasta - whole wheat (which I usually use, but I was trying to get rid of some food storage and got lazy)</li>
<li>ALL white bread - whole wheat or another grain bread </li>
<li>NO HFCS or MSG, etc.</li>
<li>We've almost eliminated ALL white/processed sugar from out diet entirely - which is really hard because it's in EVERYTHING!! Instead, we use raw honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup or brown rice syrup. But even with those, we limit our sugar intake big time.</li>
<li>LOTS of veggies everyday (new veggies for us - kale, collard greens, diakon)</li>
<li>We eat fresh fruit everyday, but limit it.</li>
<li>Dairy is gone, except for some yogurt the kids have occasionally. We use non-dairy alternatives and rice milk.</li>
<li>Meat - with tofu, quinoa, beans and a variety of food that contains protein</li>
<li>Desserts are now dairy/egg/processed sugar free - what's left? Tons!!</li>
<li>No more processed flour - it's all whole (white and regular) wheat, quinoa, barely and oat flours.</li>
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Did this happen overnight? No. We're still phasing things out and bringing in new things. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO95FDHIE5D_o7MyttRIHsu5mgP6xH8lowXgqxUKHAO5138EcLfjTOC-OvlEQ2DU12G2lNvg5D8BlpQCBVf-uvjA3vxLWyBksPSH46FMwimmFV7acCS4B0KwpiAxg0UBSPqv6guM8EO_M/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO95FDHIE5D_o7MyttRIHsu5mgP6xH8lowXgqxUKHAO5138EcLfjTOC-OvlEQ2DU12G2lNvg5D8BlpQCBVf-uvjA3vxLWyBksPSH46FMwimmFV7acCS4B0KwpiAxg0UBSPqv6guM8EO_M/s640/IMG_0198.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Why have I done this?</div>
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<li>a few people in the family were developing belly fat</li>
<li>I was tired all the time with headaches to boot</li>
<li>people were stinky (gas-wise) and now we're not</li>
<li>our genetics - we saw different family members struggle with health and now we're trying to be preventative</li>
<li>Ryan and I were not sleeping well</li>
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to name a few. </div>
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More to come - lots going on around here!</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-78847424913995918482012-09-17T21:45:00.000-05:002012-09-17T21:45:39.965-05:00Reworking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ever feel the need to rework things in your life? Anything really. I guess you could call it re-evaluating. Anyway, I have been doing some reworking of things. Maybe it's the move, maybe it's because of the change of seasons, a new schedule...a combo, I think. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm_on2HdkLyWs-uMdS2NVKrlsXdDU6M9CMCjGp1ZAcQ0xO5697j-Bp6F5flkZS5D0Mrhf5EOwvceCvuNormjYkcn37ma_KkGWfr9eczUshtJDBCgwAM9f7_jE-88_wxew3TqApgVVvkw/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm_on2HdkLyWs-uMdS2NVKrlsXdDU6M9CMCjGp1ZAcQ0xO5697j-Bp6F5flkZS5D0Mrhf5EOwvceCvuNormjYkcn37ma_KkGWfr9eczUshtJDBCgwAM9f7_jE-88_wxew3TqApgVVvkw/s640/IMG_0170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One thing I'm reworking is my home. With the advice of my grandmother who has a decorator's eye, I am slowly trying change the feel of my living room. I've only moved the couch really, though I have other plans (which require money...) but they will have to wait and happen slowly. Anyway, work in progress.<br />
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BEFORE</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8b5gCbJsIFCLgPkjQ4fyofgMBh6e-5CrBoZEkBw2AuWMpKB1vgqg0cQm1k7sVlv2PvXxCarfvKpmalprjtqxRFJjEqQ375Sx2r1yFKe3TB7REE5nwpIcKxSE3tAKx3Q8dCBoaRpzBM/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8b5gCbJsIFCLgPkjQ4fyofgMBh6e-5CrBoZEkBw2AuWMpKB1vgqg0cQm1k7sVlv2PvXxCarfvKpmalprjtqxRFJjEqQ375Sx2r1yFKe3TB7REE5nwpIcKxSE3tAKx3Q8dCBoaRpzBM/s640/IMG_0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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AFTER - it's not a great pic of the whole thing</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5_7ZtpqLZGzQnQFv5zUZflwBxWf8_uGvpNQPVLKS8V2-jzMNI1xVEMq71j8pvsu95kRDDsCNGVBeTBA14cp3GuyDbMHbXEOa7PNTT8dISBCiOMV7OxixjFBxC4UR6rPhWZbyhtiQYRY/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5_7ZtpqLZGzQnQFv5zUZflwBxWf8_uGvpNQPVLKS8V2-jzMNI1xVEMq71j8pvsu95kRDDsCNGVBeTBA14cp3GuyDbMHbXEOa7PNTT8dISBCiOMV7OxixjFBxC4UR6rPhWZbyhtiQYRY/s640/IMG_0180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, more to come. I just need to take some more/better pictures and do some more reworking.<br />
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<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-71261473720665071332012-09-12T16:16:00.001-05:002012-09-13T16:41:40.542-05:00L is for loser and lame-o<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A little humility is good, right? </div>
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Well, the past few weeks, my new church ward (congregation) is shaking things up on our Relief Society newsletter/emails. Apparently right as we moved into our new ward, so did a lot of other families. And not just run-of-the-mill families (like mine), but the types of families that make you gag after reading their Christmas letters. The type that after hearing them introduce themselves before speaking in church the last few weeks, Ryan actually told me "Susan, when we're asked to talk, don't tell anything about us. We'll look like losers". </div>
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So while Ryan and I are pretty aware of our loser-like status, this new ward is reminding us just how lame we are. </div>
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Back to the R.S. emails/newsletter: they are highlighting a different sister every week - sending out a cute family photo with info on the new sister. They sent out an email to all the new sisters, asking us to submit info on ourselves. After reading a few, there is no way I will be doing that. I have come to the conclusion that I will just wait for the ladies to discover just how lame I am on their own, I don't need help. </div>
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Rose "Say cheese Mom!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JcIscZz92V7PC907qjLgFXGIka6u7tyn8JVjFkNrH671vDHiaIuexENGak5RZabrpAXtB60YWvRZRGnOkbJUTrCWkLSiGFzj7yJFjMMOhC7zGSavyNrf3TuK3mH4WCWLlo_83B79aoQ/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JcIscZz92V7PC907qjLgFXGIka6u7tyn8JVjFkNrH671vDHiaIuexENGak5RZabrpAXtB60YWvRZRGnOkbJUTrCWkLSiGFzj7yJFjMMOhC7zGSavyNrf3TuK3mH4WCWLlo_83B79aoQ/s400/IMG_0189.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Lame.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-85685135540732177992012-09-12T15:32:00.000-05:002012-09-12T15:32:20.290-05:00Oh dear...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have some ideas of things I want to share on this blog, but I don't have the right pictures. Instead, I have the wrong ones, like this one:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNErxopYdmMOHi6q8-cmotc3S5_dpNHdNjooc6HqfOSQZLtXJNuroL-Wk1iIz8FBdRmO7jZFYjotuHmlMUlem5ah-tpFArLddUBW3O39C6dX5oAjQ2N2Tpo72bM_TeA6FjGDNnykKPkGc/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNErxopYdmMOHi6q8-cmotc3S5_dpNHdNjooc6HqfOSQZLtXJNuroL-Wk1iIz8FBdRmO7jZFYjotuHmlMUlem5ah-tpFArLddUBW3O39C6dX5oAjQ2N2Tpo72bM_TeA6FjGDNnykKPkGc/s640/IMG_0184.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It makes me laugh. Most of my pictures of her are these type of faces. I have lots of them that look like this (above). And that outfit? All Rose.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq9vegOexHXgn5GK9nZ84zmNXo1ZKuY316IaU29c4U__pdSD8bN6-0oyg1dtYfqBqudbbYK-G33R7Yqea9Q52WnXL2DzZwTSZ5gNPn2zyFtBAIJMNQZ-LSXe_1j2Jv7Ep1stLT9iVsok/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq9vegOexHXgn5GK9nZ84zmNXo1ZKuY316IaU29c4U__pdSD8bN6-0oyg1dtYfqBqudbbYK-G33R7Yqea9Q52WnXL2DzZwTSZ5gNPn2zyFtBAIJMNQZ-LSXe_1j2Jv7Ep1stLT9iVsok/s640/IMG_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Major accomplishment of the day: registered car in MO and got new driver's license (and registered to vote). I'm on fire.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-13117104465177655042012-09-11T13:09:00.000-05:002012-09-11T13:09:44.346-05:00Adjusting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another new part of our lives has been that Rose started preschool for the first time. She goes three times a week for three hours each day. So far, she's been upset every day but her first day. Once she realizes it's a school morning, she's very apprehensive and gets upset. But once she's there, she does fine and says she had fun. </div>
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Rose is my youngest to go to preschool. Claire and William were both four and only attended one year before Kindergarten. Rose is still three and I've had some reservations about sending her. However, as far as I can tell, this little school is going to be good for her. She has never had many children her age that she interacted with on a regular basis and it's been good for her to have to interact with her teacher. This girl is a handful and needs some management, so I think it will be a positive experience overall. </div>
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Now I just have to convince her!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckm_BfM5KVqJ_v2jxwOirh58funlYArkXOdRQm6PsaIk5mRKemhIWK2cJIp43om1TWycSVspH_eGHSPmoe0DlUJgH_vOtaxb-1WJXf-8vmh2BATWlKCrpNGx9qtTbZaI-bF_5Gcbe1DA/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckm_BfM5KVqJ_v2jxwOirh58funlYArkXOdRQm6PsaIk5mRKemhIWK2cJIp43om1TWycSVspH_eGHSPmoe0DlUJgH_vOtaxb-1WJXf-8vmh2BATWlKCrpNGx9qtTbZaI-bF_5Gcbe1DA/s640/IMG_0145.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3GFcedi5nQduX_9PpwObAGPr9J1rDrfFugTF0fIyLqnAqKfmQG6UqV2Z0MAMJELx1q_N-Ns2Oa4plTUiwcDWcBdxfioI2NgqFVszRTUPuJJwZhmYXm37yqdq0BH1iR0sHNgax_o4GXM/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3GFcedi5nQduX_9PpwObAGPr9J1rDrfFugTF0fIyLqnAqKfmQG6UqV2Z0MAMJELx1q_N-Ns2Oa4plTUiwcDWcBdxfioI2NgqFVszRTUPuJJwZhmYXm37yqdq0BH1iR0sHNgax_o4GXM/s640/IMG_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-26116376821543628142012-09-10T13:57:00.001-05:002012-09-10T13:57:11.490-05:00Goodbye and Hello<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This will come as no surprise to most of you: we moved. We said goodbye to our home in Illinois and moved back across the Mississippi into the St. Louis area...again. So what's with us? Well, initially we moved to Illinois to live close to the train line (which Ryan took everyday to school), the public schools there were good (or good enough), we could afford a house, we wanted a yard, etc. etc. You get the picture. </div>
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But things changed, as life tends to do. Ryan got a job out in west county St. Louis, making his commute long and stressful. Our good public school was not working for our family any longer, our house had become a time-consuming, money-sucking burden. But mostly we were tired of not seeing Ryan. Something had to change. And to spare you the details of our home-selling fiasco, we moved. </div>
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<br />Moving Day - THE rainy day in August</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOvB4klZ9Pq-fLr5y_CoRs5rs0bGfg0FH8CUE0kj3oJVU055RTO1R6Q9tnmZ-aMdpero-1UUBWh2kKWQ5_D06lRhaCE3Rxro1eaDeiz8tgZDK3K7qK758vItjV3D788EAv9MeHBWseFU/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOvB4klZ9Pq-fLr5y_CoRs5rs0bGfg0FH8CUE0kj3oJVU055RTO1R6Q9tnmZ-aMdpero-1UUBWh2kKWQ5_D06lRhaCE3Rxro1eaDeiz8tgZDK3K7qK758vItjV3D788EAv9MeHBWseFU/s640/IMG_0100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our new place</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiWqiUy0xR9VOEfWGnFWm_F78lk1oybt_r3LncaxVkE-pUOoBR0Kxq3dmMtjMBCnWrWCVVA9lE2LtUZUXyqn0hi7LMM4uq4BmILjKfnVOylXSJyG8vHTSotMTUqNBTvybkygTFFgtq_w/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiWqiUy0xR9VOEfWGnFWm_F78lk1oybt_r3LncaxVkE-pUOoBR0Kxq3dmMtjMBCnWrWCVVA9lE2LtUZUXyqn0hi7LMM4uq4BmILjKfnVOylXSJyG8vHTSotMTUqNBTvybkygTFFgtq_w/s640/IMG_0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the shock wore off from the move, I knew we had done the right thing. Ryan can walk to work in under 10 minutes, the kids are in a fantastic school (and district), and we have a lot more room in our new home. We now live in a town home, which we are renting - no more buying for us for a long time - no thank you!! We are happy here, for now. I have a feeling this isn't very permanent.<br />
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But I have big plans for our living room, involving paint, a new cover for the couch, etc. I'm excited to lighten things up and change styles a bit. Since I now live away from ALL of my friends and family, I plan to be a better blogger and update regularly. And eventually I'll include more pics. See ya! <br />
<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-68221177734401124302012-07-11T23:13:00.002-05:002012-07-11T23:13:47.627-05:00Blog Musings or Musings on a Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had written a long post to be accompanied by these pictures, but upon reading it over before publishing, I realized that it was "too much". Just too much. It's better to say too little than to say too much, don't you think? And since I otherwise have nothing worth writing tonight - here are some pics of the kids. Enjoy. </div>
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the race car driver</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbA-3Nfg3owLjNThxE1T62G0rtSVqKjfT77echMxUfwfEmDvhi7eMU_IeULZXQPo14zOb-V1qInU8xyfy3M1ETmLN52Uybp0DnjM7FGHbfCory6iDAZzAJbVWNPcbne764DhAE8RArf0/s1600/IMG_9616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbA-3Nfg3owLjNThxE1T62G0rtSVqKjfT77echMxUfwfEmDvhi7eMU_IeULZXQPo14zOb-V1qInU8xyfy3M1ETmLN52Uybp0DnjM7FGHbfCory6iDAZzAJbVWNPcbne764DhAE8RArf0/s640/IMG_9616.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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the writer</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-f3Trvy144Zn9H4srjHQ4uGr123lms9aVSKTi7IvaDvT42whh-pYBLKf2XOwhNJESEYrbQ8H5ltNOMA0Yy2_sBJ9aVdn2XEQ5KJdjlp1TRA67bnUhvS5G6aasF50czgmvJJguAav3v8/s1600/IMG_9763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-f3Trvy144Zn9H4srjHQ4uGr123lms9aVSKTi7IvaDvT42whh-pYBLKf2XOwhNJESEYrbQ8H5ltNOMA0Yy2_sBJ9aVdn2XEQ5KJdjlp1TRA67bnUhvS5G6aasF50czgmvJJguAav3v8/s640/IMG_9763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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the mountain goat</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLKxfWwB6QjBRJWVTob4eH0-gAdN0XMDeTyrAC3aXRKtHYhCXMYYSYdUrHKXGHhBpbA-Uo1O6UZfonFM9pMHvchY5fvs_ahw4e18ue-UbiD48C5SVt4swEmf7r5FgVxgiXG7D_o_gvh0/s1600/IMG_9768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLKxfWwB6QjBRJWVTob4eH0-gAdN0XMDeTyrAC3aXRKtHYhCXMYYSYdUrHKXGHhBpbA-Uo1O6UZfonFM9pMHvchY5fvs_ahw4e18ue-UbiD48C5SVt4swEmf7r5FgVxgiXG7D_o_gvh0/s640/IMG_9768.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-22569357488224158572012-06-12T17:02:00.000-05:002012-06-12T17:02:05.371-05:00The start of summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When it rains, it pours. </div>
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We have had our hands full, as of late. I, myself, have been ill the past week with a horrible case of strep throat, which all of the kids also have, but I was able to get them tested and medicated early. So, it never got too bad. But despite all of this, we keep moving on with our summer schedule.</div>
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The kids are now in "summer school", doing assignments three times a week. They're good sports about it. We did just take several weeks off to play and visit family. Time to get back to the books.</div>
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So just a minute ago, I spouted off on here (with the help of a few choice words) about my feelings on home ownership. But with the help of my palm pad mouse thing (which I usually turn off) I somehow erased all of it. But it was probably a good thing. Try to keep things positive, right?</div>
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Right.</div>
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Moving on, I went to put some clothes away in the girls' closet and I was very startled to find this: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3esnfYjOweqe6U3sDfzDG__9cl0hRUx_ceI0cINNLHGZ3iMI2nBA8pONNlXTAS_pII55k_Ogo8nJPg2fsEtabcuOXFY1kCa7qPxJxgbqiVGLerxF4vX9D3M0KFD6LFv2BoagKkg5tSLA/s1600/IMG_9564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3esnfYjOweqe6U3sDfzDG__9cl0hRUx_ceI0cINNLHGZ3iMI2nBA8pONNlXTAS_pII55k_Ogo8nJPg2fsEtabcuOXFY1kCa7qPxJxgbqiVGLerxF4vX9D3M0KFD6LFv2BoagKkg5tSLA/s400/IMG_9564.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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So keep the antibiotics pumping, the newly reseeded grass a growin' (as is our water bill from all the $#!% sprinklers we're having to use), the home inspections a comin', and the new septic tank a stirrin'. yippee.SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-2054420753674609552012-06-05T19:34:00.001-05:002012-06-05T19:35:20.681-05:00What's left of my yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A week ago, we wrote a big check to have four guys come tear up our yard. They did a thorough job, by the way. But no longer do I open my door to the smell of septic. Gone. Zilch, and it's lovely (the smell being gone, not my yard).</div>
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The back yard. </div>
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Yes, my patio is perched four feet above the rest of my yard</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2SxvQRl5_wzgOqxOt_4sPHyb6bJSlCO9cytuTkyIV3xjujSaOUNcbfY-Anid6rqUt3vQkA7Xd7wc4vslr2L0qceMoe4zS8yGdpjc_C5vajVIDc7xOCNzxUZY2Xds7YZnFdL70nHKz2E/s1600/IMG_9582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2SxvQRl5_wzgOqxOt_4sPHyb6bJSlCO9cytuTkyIV3xjujSaOUNcbfY-Anid6rqUt3vQkA7Xd7wc4vslr2L0qceMoe4zS8yGdpjc_C5vajVIDc7xOCNzxUZY2Xds7YZnFdL70nHKz2E/s400/IMG_9582.JPG" width="400" /></a>
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My side yard when they were almost done </div>
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(they had already dug and recovered three trenches by this point)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1Ol2Oc5vm-5n1pSGDMr-BdWTvZp6yWeE3iuV16EbiIuF8g1THmeQfOubbjt3q90vO5_o0ZSwID9jNt59jMbO1Y5Xhd74B5xffdjKFhraCrDuUXTY6aNSPnsjSk2zHC_Ln0eF11VBfgk/s1600/IMG_9595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1Ol2Oc5vm-5n1pSGDMr-BdWTvZp6yWeE3iuV16EbiIuF8g1THmeQfOubbjt3q90vO5_o0ZSwID9jNt59jMbO1Y5Xhd74B5xffdjKFhraCrDuUXTY6aNSPnsjSk2zHC_Ln0eF11VBfgk/s400/IMG_9595.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The after picture; all ready for the weeds that will inevitably grow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b7u6-GUN_oy1sPGm2qeH4liLw6V87UlpmIohYdu7NVnCBu1zDA9UycHHDOhaM8hrcJG_QPItaFrBoXmnKRXIj26jbyYOc8d5NBwctLJ1AiXTBjXfWGmKXiY91TwH2YCQ2IPplDELRCc/s1600/IMG_9613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b7u6-GUN_oy1sPGm2qeH4liLw6V87UlpmIohYdu7NVnCBu1zDA9UycHHDOhaM8hrcJG_QPItaFrBoXmnKRXIj26jbyYOc8d5NBwctLJ1AiXTBjXfWGmKXiY91TwH2YCQ2IPplDELRCc/s400/IMG_9613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But in my front yard, my hydrangeas finally blossomed after years of nothing. When I planted them, the blossoms were blue and now they're pink - my favorite flower color!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-SPKJIhpfXV1Dr3Ul2AvIj-Ob_qAUZMn6KMSg77XmYPLTziPJtaakr3IGOQ908W2WMy59apDYnIets50xPDOpYBtHfL6iBcsdVRI-T-E4zlWUsH3V5k3Di_mJWvgotslzNbQwlUcisQ/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-SPKJIhpfXV1Dr3Ul2AvIj-Ob_qAUZMn6KMSg77XmYPLTziPJtaakr3IGOQ908W2WMy59apDYnIets50xPDOpYBtHfL6iBcsdVRI-T-E4zlWUsH3V5k3Di_mJWvgotslzNbQwlUcisQ/s400/IMG_9586.JPG" width="400" /></a>
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Now Ryan and I are busily trying to reseed the yard and do anything to make it look better. It's going to be a long process. At least we don't have as much mowing to do! Count your blessings, right?</div>SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835511151824849357.post-24982848463782618982012-06-01T11:21:00.000-05:002012-06-01T11:21:48.016-05:00Just to sum up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have been back from vacation for a few days now and I have been asked a couple of times how our trip went. Well, we did a lot of things and had a lot of fun. How do you put it all into words so that people won't lose interest? So I just decided to post a few of my pictures, showing all who might be interested a sprinkling of what we did over nearly two weeks. </div>
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We did a little of this: </div>
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Archery with bows and arrows my talented Dad made</div>
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And of course some evening fishing</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And a new adventure, stand-up paddle boarding. So, so fun. My first time out was on a very windy day; the waves were very large, making it hard to stand up. I didn't go down, but my mom and brother took a backwards somersault off the back on the board into the water. There was a lot of laughing this round.</span><br />
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Ryan's first attempt: took place on a much calmer lake. It was so easy to maneuver this lake after the previous attempt. We had three boards, so we all took turns going out together; it was awesome.</div>
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Lots of swimming and games</div>
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And some relaxing at the farm</div>
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And a mountain bike ride, complete with one injury</div>
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More swimming in the lake; this island was a hit with the kids</div>
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Cousins trying out the board. There was room to paddle with one to two kids on board. They took turns coming out with an adult.</div>
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More tractor fun</div>
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Uncle Dan knew endless water games for the kids to play</div>
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We had a wonderful time. A special part was the kids getting to meet their new baby cousin (maybe pictures later, after I get mom's permission). We spent time in East Texas, out at the farm, in Dallas at my brother's loft, seeing the sights and sounds of their new place, more time out at the farm and lastly, a long weekend camping with the whole crew in Arkansas. Good times!!<br />
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<br /></div>SLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16955021148028952161noreply@blogger.com0